Examining sex differences in the use of direct and indirect aggression

Date

2008-12

Authors

Artz, Sibylle
Nicholson, Diana
Magnuson, Douglas

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer

Abstract

Direct and indirect aggressive behaviors were studied using surveys and interviews of students in two public schools. The variables of “sex-of-aggressor” and “sex-of-target” were included. Claims in previous research that girls engage in far more indirect aggression than boys are not supported. Further, it was found that girls are more likely to target the opposite sex with direct aggression than boys. This suggests more gender fluidity in the use of aggression by girls and adds to a growing body of research that dispels the notion that direct and indirect aggression can be neatly sorted into male and female categories of behavior.

Description

Keywords

direct aggression, indirect aggression, sex differences, aggression, prevalence and preferences for forms of agression, sex of target

Citation

Artz, S., Nicholson, D., & Magnuson, D. (2008). Examining sex differences in the use of direct and indirect aggression. Gender Issues, 25(4), 267-288. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12147-008-9065-5